2018/2019 Yangon > Yangon

From royal Mandalay to entrancing Inle Lake

Myanmar’s exquisite temples might hold pride of place in the heart of this mesmerising country, however Mother Nature’s awe-inspiring power has carved out a few spectacles of her own.

Yangon is the perfect introduction to this incredible country. Navigate the vibrant streets seeking out keepsakes to take home or watch the golden sunset bounce off the Shwedagon Pagoda, there’s always plenty to appreciate in this hidden gem of a city.
Take to the waters of the Irrawaddy in unprecedented luxury, as you journey from Pyay to Mandalay. Encounter traditional villages, visit the temples of Bagan and marvel at the untold number of pagodas, temples and monasteries. The majestic Inle Lake reveals the ancient practice of one-legged rowing, perfected over centuries this is one of the many unique Myanmar traditions you’ll come across during your time in this striking land.

18 Day Itinerary

Day 1 -
Yangon

Highlights:

Welcome reception

Welcome to Myanmar and settle into hotel for a two night Special Stay. Meet your Scenic Tour Director and fellow guests at your welcome dinner at the iconic colonial Strand Hotel. Please book flights to arrive by 4.30pm.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2 -
Yangon

Highlights:

Enrich - Oil lamp lighting

Freechoice

Embark for a ride on the local train around Yangon’s suburbs. Alternatively, be guided on a tour of Yangon’s thriving art scene, or ride a ferry across the Yangon River to Dhala village.

Visit Chaukhtatgyi Paya, Yangon’s reclining Buddha.

Enrich

As the sun begins to set, wander through Shwedagon Pagoda and learn about the ritual of ‘oil lamp lighting’ before partaking in this local tradition.

This evening enjoy the included facilities of your executive club access.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 -
Yangon > Pyay (Prome) > Irrawaddy Cruise

Highlights:

Htaukkyant Allied War Cemetery

On your drive to Pyay, pay your respects at Htaukkyant Allied War Cemetery before arriving at the luxurious Scenic Aura. Settle in and relax at the welcome cocktail reception. (Please note drive from Yangon to Pyay is approximately 7 hours).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 -
Pyay (Prome) > Sri Ksetra

Highlights:

Discover Sri Ksetra

Admire the view over Pyay with a visit to the Shwesandaw Pagoda before heading to Sri Ksetra, the ancient Pyu Kingdom’s capital and also Myanmar’s first World Heritage-listed Site. Return to the ship to commence your cruise north into the heart of Myanmar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 -
Thayetmyo

Highlights:

Colonial architecture

A morning of exploration awaits in Thayetmyo. Try your hand at putting on the oldest golf course in Myanmar, admire the region’s old colonial buildings and explore the gems at the local market before returning to the ship to continue to Magwe.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 -
Magwe

Highlights:

Trishaw ride

In Magwe, explore the town by traditional trishaw, similar to a sidecar. Visit Mya Tha Lun Pagoda, a mesmerising architectural vision set on Naguttama Hill with superb views over the river. Enjoy the remainder of the day cruising to Salay.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 -
Salay > Bagan

Highlights:

Enrich - Colonial experience

On your morning walking tour of Salay admire the beautiful teak monastery and look inside the largest lacquer Buddha in Myanmar.

Enrich

Soak up the ambience of the river and the colonial feel of the town whilst enjoying traditional local Burmese tea and snacks in a restored colonial villa dating from 1906.

Relax on the sundeck with a cocktail in hand viewing the many temples and pagodas that line the river as you approach Bagan.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 -
Bagan

Highlights:

Freechoice, Enrich – Traditional activity

Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight - Between 01 October and 31 March, take a chance to ride in a hot air balloon flight over the majestic temples of Bagan. Must be purchased prior to your cruise.

Freechoice

Venture to Mount Popa, home to Myanmar’s nats or nature spirits. Alternatively, explore the markets at Nyaung U before discovering the Temple Circuit, or enjoying a visit to Old Bagan.

Afterwards, visit the most iconic sight of this hypnotic region, the Ananda Temple.

Enrich

This evening, be treated to a special occasion arranged especially for Scenic guests where you will be able to partake in a magical tradition of the Burmese people.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 -
Bagan > Pakkoku

Highlights:

Enrich - Morning alms

Enrich

Rise early to attend morning alms for the local monks. Back on board try mohinga, a traditional breakfast of the local people.

Travel by horse and cart through a local village then through the surrounding plain and it’s temple ruins before learning all about the production of Burmese lacquerware. Depart Bagan and stop off at the Pakkoku to visit a cheroot cigar workshop and longyi and blanket factory before continuing to Yandabo.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 -
Yandabo

Highlights:

Village

Sail to Yandabo where in 1826, the peace treaty ending the First Anglo-Burmese war was signed. Now famous for its pottery, stroll through the village and witness the artisans honing their craft.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 -
Sagaing > Inwa (Ava)

Highlights:

Enrich - Monastic school and nunnery

In the ancient capitals of Sagaing and Inwa, spiritual enlightenment awaits.

Enrich

In the ancient capital of Sagaing interact with novice monks, nuns and orphans during a special visit to a monastic supported school before continuing to a quiet nunnery where you will partake in the ritual and our donation to the resident nuns before their midday meal.

Across the river, explore by horse and cart the sites within the ruins of Inwa’s palace, for more than 400 years the capital of the Ava Kingdom.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 -
Mingun > Mandalay > Amarapura

Highlights:

Sundowners at U-Bein Bridge

Cruise to Mingun to discover the stories behind a massive unfinished brick pagoda. Nearby, admire the famous un-cracked Mingun Bell and the all-white Hsinbyume Pagoda. Sail to Mandalay to visit Amarapura.

Sundowners

In Amarapura, relax with evening drinks in boats under U-Bein Bridge, the world’s longest teak bridge, to capture that memorable photo of the bridge’s silhouette at sunset.

Back on board enjoy Scenic Aura’s crew special farewell.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 -
Irrawaddy Cruise > Mandalay

Highlights:

Enrich - Gold leaf

Marvel at Shwenandaw, a wooden monastery covered internally in gold leaf. Equally impressive is Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the ‘World’s Largest Book’. Later walk through the rebuilt Mandalay Palace, destroyed during World War II.

Enrich

Learn how to produce gold leaf at a local workshop. At Mahamuni Pagoda, male guests will be able to place the gold leaf on the iconic Buddha statue.

Fly to Heho and drive to Nyaung Shwe. After lunch in town, glide across the waters of Inle Lake in private long tail boats towards your resort for a three night Special Stay. This afternoon relax at your hotel and take in your serene surroundings.

Fly to Yangon for lunch at the historical House of Memories Restaurant, once the office of General Aung San. Later check into your hotel for your last night. Savour your farewell dinner at the Le Planteur Restaurant on Inya Lake.